Dean Baquet Former Timesman, now L.A. Times managing editorThe scoop: Well-liked, well-regarded, and black.The dirt: Heir presumptive in L.A., and unlikely to be let go easily. The color: Could bring back N.Y. Timesers in exile in L.A. Odds: 2–1

Marty Baron Boston Globe editorThe scoop: Has run newsrooms (including the Times’, at night), won Pulitzers.The dirt: Cold, distant, bearded. And would leave a hole at the Globe, a Times Co. property that works.The color: Has an M.B.A.Odds: 3–1

Walter Isaacson President, Aspen InstituteThe scoop: Reinvigorated Time with his showbiz news instincts and glad-handing. The dirt: Connie Chung and his general failure at CNN.The color: Joel Stein on the op-ed page?Odds: 40–1

Andrew RosenthalTimes assistant managing editorThe scoop: A member of Raines’s inner circle, he managed to disappear when things went south.The dirt: A member of Raines’s inner circle.The color: Is the Times really ready for Abe’s son? Odds: 10–1

Jill AbramsonTimes D.C.-bureau chiefThe scoop: Stood up to Raines (her bureau might’ve performed the key coup de grâce on him when Sulzberger paid a visit). The dirt: More likely for managing-editor slot.The color: Would her Raines-backed arch-rival, Patrick Tyler, finally get the D.C. job?Odds: 20–1